Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the opportunity to outline on behalf of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Michael Smith, the position with regard to Castlebar barracks. The Minister is abroad on official business and regrets that he is not able to be present this evening to deal with this Adjournment matter.

The main usage of Castlebar barracks in previous years was for the annual summer training camps for members of the Reserve Defence Force. This year, because of health and safety factor, it was not possible to hold the summer camps in Castlebar and the necessary arrangements were made to facilitate personnel at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, where accommodation and training facilities are of the highest standards. Specifically, the electrical wiring within the sleeping accommodation in the Castlebar barracks is in need of upgrading. As safety is of paramount importance, it was decided by the military authorities that the sleeping billets could not be made available for use this summer. Renovations are also necessary to upgrade the kitchen facilities in the barracks to meet health and safety requirements.